another day, another new site species, and another heavy flow of visible migration. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the pair of Yellowhammers, which came in from the north, and kindly circled the reservoir at head height before thinking better of it and leaving south-east. A second record of Rook for the year came with a single flying west with a group of 32 Jackdaws, and another Rock Pipit flew southwest (amazingly, the fifth of the month, and the fifth ever for the site).

The first three Fieldfares flew north-west with several Redwings, the latter totalling 67 (the third highest count of the month so far); Woodpigeons, streaming over in a constant flow at one point for more than 15 minutes, totalled 2210 - the highest count recorded on site. Finches continue to keep attentions focused with 22 Bramblings (another record count) and eight Siskins being the highlights.

Conversely, the Reservoirs themselves are very quiet. The West Res. is little more than an ecological ghetto, and the East - while holding all the usual wildfowl - has produced little of note recently. Herring Gulls were comparitively numerous today, with an adult scandinavian bird on the gull rings (the first of the autumn).

(Jackdaws heading west. The Rook is towards the top of the flock, really....)

recent records

END OF FEBRUARY 2008: at least one Mediterranean Gull still regularly visiting Clapton Common Pond; Blackcaps singing in private garden (Albion Road) and Abney Park Cemetery, where several pairs of Stock Doves are paired up for breeding; a Kingfisher and up to seven Reed Buntings present at Stoke Newington Reservoirs. Winter thrushes still well represented, with Redwings in Clissold Park and high numbers of Redwings and Fieldfares at Walthamstow Marshes. Clissold Park has the usual winter ducks, including up to ten Pochard and 15 Shoveler.

LATE FEBRUARY 2008: Great Black-backed Gull, Kingfisher, singing Blackcap and several Reed Buntings at Stoke Newington reservoirs (& 3 Jackdaws over on 25th); 2 Siskins in Abney Park, 23rd; Jack Snipe, up to 27 common Snipe, up to 22 Meadow Pipits, pair of Stonechats, good numbers of Fieldfare and Redwing at Walthamstow Marshes.

MID-FEBRUARY 2008: up to 2 Mediterranean Gulls present at Clapton Common, coming down to food with Black-headed Gulls. Blackcap singing along northern perimeter of Abney Park Cemetery from mid-month. Red-crested Pochard pair still present at the East Reservoir until 15th at least. Peacock butterfly in Clissold Park, 08/02 - the first of the year. Yellow-legged Gull and Lesser Redpoll present at Stoke Newington Res., 08/02. Female Brambling still present in Clissold Park (SE corner), last seen 08/02. Goldcrests and Redwings widespread locally. Redshank flushed from Walthamstow Marshes, 08/02.

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Lucky enough to spend plenty of my time enjoying birds and wildlife, I'm based here on the Yorkshire coast, on the western seaboard of the North Sea (where I grew up, and returned to several years ago). Among other things I'm a field ornithologist, nature writer, speaker and guide, comms specialist for conservation causes and a musician / songwriter with Morning Bride.